Turns out good

What are some of the things in your life that are a mess right now? A wonderful word from a prison cell in Philippi helps me to have a better attitude about my present messes and sorrows.

Paul says, "I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel" (Philippians 1:12). I like the reading in the NKJV: "I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel."

Being locked up when you are the number one apostle sent to cover Asia Minor with the gospel is a huge setback, or so it would seem. But in a way that no one would have expected, it has served to advance the gospel, and on more than one level. For one thing, we learn from the end of the letter that through this incarceration, the gospel has spread throughout the home of no mean personage: "All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar's household" (4:22). You couldn't buy that kind of publicity with a dozen staged church revival meetings.

A second collateral blessing is that, counter-intuitively, "most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear" (1:14). Who would have thought it? Wouldn't you have thought they would head for the hills? I'll bet the fact that they didn't is because they saw firsthand how well things turned out for Paul, so they were willing to believe things will turn out for them too.

If you are walking in God's ways, and things get messy, cheer up-you are on the verge of something wonderful. If you are walking in rebellion against God, and things are going great, heads up-you are on the verge of disaster. Of course, God in His mercy may turn your disaster into a day of salvation. But for myself, I prefer to endure the mess when I know I am dead center in the will of God.

What is the mess you are in right now? Hold on to God and be patient. The faithful servant can have confidence that things are going to turn out. Just look at Paul's confidence: "I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance" (1:19)." How it all turns out is what's important.

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